Vishal  Menon

Vishal Menon

Author

Vishal has been a writer and a critic for over 10 years. He writes predominantly about Malayalam and Tamil cinema.

MORE FROM VISHAL MENON

Ken in 'Youth'
Theatrical

'Youth' Movie Review: Perfect Casting In This Fun But Familiar Coming-Of-Age Comedy

In Ken Karunas' 'Youth,' we get the sense of having run into the boys next door, pretty certain they’re going to be around for a long time to come.

BY Vishal Menon
A still from the film (3)
Theatrical

'Aadu 3' Movie Review: GOAT-ed Characters Get Butchered In This Wild Bore

As with every idea that turns into a business proposal, 'Aadu' is forced to become a big, bloated, big-budgeted status vehicle

BY Vishal Menon
A still from 'Local Times'
Streaming

'Local Times' Series Review: Basic Pleasures In This Workplace Comedy

With broad plotlines for each episode and reasonably likeable ensemble, the show is best enjoyed as a second screen experience.

BY Vishal Menon
A still from 'Made In Korea'
Streaming

'Made In Korea' Movie Review: A Seoul-Less Drama Made For Algorithms

Cultural appropriation seldom feels as inappropriate as it does in this Priyanka Mohan-starrer

BY Vishal Menon
A still from the film.
Theatrical

'Oh Butterfly' Movie Review: A Messy But Watchable Triangular Hate Story

Nivedhithaa Sathish holds it all in place as the guilt-ridden protagonist, struggling to deal with multiple heartbreaks.

BY Vishal Menon
A still from 'Secret Stories: Roslin'
Streaming

'Secret Stories: Roslin' Series Review: A Clever Refresh On The Unwanted Visitor Trope

The guiding hand of Jeethu Joseph is evident in this patchy yet unsettling mystery

BY Vishal Menon
Toxic
Insight

Exclusive | Yash’s 'Toxic' Signs Massive Distribution Deal In Tamil 

The Tamil language rights has picked up for ₹63 crore advance on a commission basis. 'Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown Ups' has been simultaneously shot in Kannada and English.

BY Vishal Menon
A still from 'Toxic'
Insight

Exclusive | Kerala Distribution Rights Of Yash’s 'Toxic' Picked Up By E4 Entertainment

Production banner E4 Entertainment is said to have the distribution rights of the film.

BY Vishal Menon
A still from 'Prathichaya'
Interviews

Exclusive | 'Prathichaya' Will Create Several Debates: B Unnikrishnan on Nivin Pauly's Next

The makers of the Nivin Pauly-starrer launched a 2-minute 22-second trailer before the political thriller’s release 

BY Vishal Menon
A still from 'Pennum Porattum'
Theatrical

'Pennum Porattum' Movie Review: A Truly Inventive Absurd Comedy

It’s impressive how first-time director Rajesh Madhavan—who also stars in the film—creates a multi-layered universe that feels distinctly original.

BY Vishal Menon
A still from 'My Lord'
Theatrical

'My Lord' Movie Review: A Distinctively Raju Murugan Social Comedy Until It Veers Into A Typical Melodrama 

Starring Sasikumar and Chaithra J Achar, 'My Lord' begins with promise, but unfortunately ends with a loud message delivered without any cinematic subtlety

BY Vishal Menon
Lead1-6
Insight

Tovino Thomas to Sharaf U Dheen: Six Notorious Superstar Villains in Malayalam Meta Movies  

Sharaf U Dheen's Young Prince in 'Ashakal Aayiram' is the latest addition to the list of movie villains from within the world of Malayalam cinema.

BY Vishal Menon
Dileesh Pothan looks back at 10 years of 'Maheshinte Prathikaram'
Interviews

Exclusive | Dileesh Pothan On 10 Years of 'Maheshinte Prathikaram', the Film That Started It All

The Fahadh Faasil film, a modern classic of Malayalam cinema, turned 10 last week

BY Vishal Menon
A still from 'Ashakal Aayiram'
Theatrical

'Ashakal Aayiram' Movie Review: The Jayaram We Missed In This Wholesome Anthikadian Comedy

Packed with meta jokes, the film unfolds like a Greatest Hits redux of memories that have come to make Jayaram feel special to us.

BY Vishal Menon
Bhavana in a still from 'Anomie'
Theatrical

'Anomie' Movie Review: An Inconsistent Thriller That’s Neither Personal Nor A Procedural

Despite its visual edge and a core idea with immense dramatic potential, the film falls apart in the second half

BY Vishal Menon
A still from 'With Love'
Theatrical

'With Love' Movie Review: An Orkut-Era Rom-Com Told With Reels-Era Freshness

A tender Tamil rom-com that trades grand gestures for easy intimacy, finding modern love in friendship, comfort, and quiet honesty.

BY Vishal Menon
'Prakambanam'
Theatrical

'Prakambanam' Movie Review: Original Ideas, Wild Laughs, And A Ghost Like You’ve Never Seen 

If 'Sarvam Maya' was a gentle breeze, propping up its ghost to behave like an angel, the ghost in 'Prakambanam' is a bloodthirsty matriarch out to seek revenge

BY Vishal Menon
A still from 'Valathu Vashathe Kallan'
Theatrical

'Valathu Vashathe Kallan' Movie Review: Jeethu Joseph Regains Lost Form In This Procedural

Anchored by a great Biju Menon performance, director Jeethu Joseph explores the theme of parenting in 'Valathu Vashathe Kallan', narrating stories of all the personal battles that come your way when you try to bury your secrets.

BY Vishal Menon
Riya Shibu and a poster of 'Sarvam Maya'
Interviews

How Delulu Became Her Solulu: Actor-Influencer Riya Shibu On Charming Nivin Pauly and Movie Audiences in 'Sarvam Maya'

Riya Shibu finds that her life has changed beyond reconciliation after the release of Nivin Pauly’s blockbuster 'Sarvam Maya.' From botched audition calls to feeling like she’s not got enough, Riya feels that all it took was the magic of a friendly ghost to turn things around

BY Vishal Menon
A still from 'Chatha Pacha'
Insight

How To 'Malayalify' Shawn Michaels: 'Chatha Pacha' Costume Designer Melwy F On Bringing His Crazy Wrestling Outfit Ideas To Life

The award-winning costume designer of films such as 'Minnal Murali' and 'Lokah Chapter One: Chandra', breaks down the costume ideas behind five locally made WWE-style wrestlers in his new superhit Malayalam film.

BY Vishal Menon